Ehlers was the first research physicist to be elected to Congress;[1] he was later joined by Rush Holt, Jr. (D-NJ) and Bill Foster (D-IL).

His doctoral dissertation, "The nuclear spins and moments of several radioactive gallium isotopes", is available from University Microfilms International as document number 0227304.

[3] Ehlers served as chairman of the House Administration Committee in the 109th Congress after Bob Ney resigned from the position.

He was the only member of the Michigan Congressional delegation of either party to vote to raise fuel economy standards for automobiles in 2001[7] and 2005.

[14] In 1993 Ehlers won a special election for the 3rd District, which had been vacant since Congressman Paul B. Henry died six months into his fifth term.